GB2291437A - Machine for washing, cleaning and/or spin-drying - Google Patents
Machine for washing, cleaning and/or spin-drying Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2291437A GB2291437A GB9514613A GB9514613A GB2291437A GB 2291437 A GB2291437 A GB 2291437A GB 9514613 A GB9514613 A GB 9514613A GB 9514613 A GB9514613 A GB 9514613A GB 2291437 A GB2291437 A GB 2291437A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- machine
- gas
- springs
- spring system
- air
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F15/00—Suppression of vibrations in systems; Means or arrangements for avoiding or reducing out-of-balance forces, e.g. due to motion
- F16F15/02—Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems
- F16F15/023—Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems using fluid means
- F16F15/0232—Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems using fluid means with at least one gas spring
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F9/00—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium
- F16F9/06—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using both gas and liquid
- F16F9/08—Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using both gas and liquid where gas is in a chamber with a flexible wall
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F2224/00—Materials; Material properties
- F16F2224/04—Fluids
- F16F2224/046—Fluids pneumatic
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
Description
2291437 Machine for washing, cleaning andlor spin-drying laundry and
method of operation for such a machine The invention relates to a machine for washing, c"leaning and/or spin-drying, especially a washer extractor or cleaning machine, with a casing and a rotatable drum arranged therein for receiving the material to be treated (material to be washed or cleaned). The invention furthermore relates to a method of operation for such a machine.
Washer extractors for commercial or industrial use receive loads in the range of several kilograms to several hundred kilograms. For a full utilization of the machines, the individual washing cycles must be kept as short as possible. Of course, this also applies to the time for charging.
For optimizing the consumption of energy, water and detergent, the mass of the laundry filled into the machine has to be determined and the machine has to be adjusted correspondingly. The weighing process is very difficult and had to be carried out outside of the machine heretofore. This is particularly disadvantageous in machines with a plurality of chambers within the drum. The drums shall be charged as evenly as possible. This means that, apart from the total mass, the masses of the laundry in each chamber also have to be determined.
Attempts to carry out the weighing process after charging the machine have failed heretofore. It has been attempted, for example, to calculate the mass in the machine as a function of the starting current. A direct measurement by weighing the entire machine has failed so far due to the spring-mounted and damped bearing of the machines which is required because of vibration. Conventionally, the damping is effectuated by hydraulic shock absorbers whose frictional forces prevent accurate weighing.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a bearing for the above-mentioned machine which permits to determine the mass of the material filled in as accurately and quickly as possible. To attain this object, the machine according to the invention is characterized by a gas-spring system for absorbing the vibration occurring during operation. The gas-spring system is also configured to damp the vibration.
The machine according to the invention does n ' ot require any hydraulic shock absorbers. The proposed gas,-spring system functions as a springing suspension and as a damping device. The system is adapted to vibrations occurring during the operation of such a machine by the choice of the gas springs and by an interconnection of the gas springs via lines with defined diameters in conjunction with compensating tanks, if required.
Owing to the defined infeed of gas or compressed air, and the mentioned connection of compensating tanks, the natural frequency of the machine or the gas-spring system during operation can be altered in a very simple manner. Pneumatic control elements are known per se and are widely distributed. The control of these elements can be effectuated in the framework of a process control.
Since the machine according to the invention requires no hydraulic shock absorbers there is an additional saving effect. Moreover, gas-springs can be used which are customary in the trade and known from other fields of technology.
The pressure within the gas-spring system depends, inter alia, on the mass of the infed gas. A value corresponding to the mass can be generated in a simple manner by providing a pressure measuring device, especially a pressure sensor.
The process according to the invention is characterized in that the machine is weighed during the charging and in that the mass of the material already filled into the machine is determined. This permits, so to speak, a continuous measurement during the charging. As soon as a certain mass is reached, the operator can be warned by means of an acoustic or optical signal. Preferably, the weighing is effectuated by measuring the pressure within the gas-spring system of the machine.
The invention is not restricted to washer extractors. On the contrary, it can also be used in conjunction with washing machines, cleaning machines or spin-dryers. The material to be washed or cleaned will probably be laundry in the first line.
Further features of the invention emerge from the claims. The claims relate, inter alia, to the configuration of the gasspring system.
9 Advantageous embodiments of the invention wil-I be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a washer extractor with gasspring system, Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the gas-spring system, Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of the combination washer extractor, gas-spring system, and weighing device.
A washer extractor 10 has an outer casing 11 and a drum 12 arranged therein which can be charged with laundry. The casing 11 is mounted on a plurality, in the present case four, air springs 13 located at the corners. The latter are arranged between lower bearing faces 14 of the casing 11, which are also disposed at the corners, and the uprightly directed carriers 15. The carriers 15 are fixedly connected to a foundation plate 16.
In the present exemplary embodiment, Continental FS 200-10 air springs 13 are provided. These air springs have a volume of approximately 2.2 litres per spring.
The springs are preferably designed such that an elastic sleeve surrounds a cavity filled with gas or air, the cavity having a gas or air supply. The air springs used here are provided with rubber sleeves. However, other gas-spring systems can also be used, e.g. such having a piston and cylinder arrangement, or scroll-spring bags. The springs used here have a particularly low friction and are therefore well suited for measuring the pressure in the gas or air system. For the sake of simplicity, we will refer to air springs or air systems in the following.
The interconnection of the air springs 13 is shown in Fig. 2. One air pipe 17 leads from each of the air springs 13 to a common star point, a compressed-air distributor 18. The connections 19 for the air pipes 17 are each configured as flow restrictors and have a diameter of approximately 7 mm in the present case.
A pressure measuring device or a pressure sensor is furthermore connected to the star point, i.e. to the compressed air distributor 18. The corresponding line has the reference numeral 21.
A compensating tank 23 is connected to the star point via a line 22. This compensating tank 23 provides an additional air volume for the system comprising air springs, lines and star point. A valve 24 is arranged in the line 22 for turning the air volume on and off. This valve 24 is configured as a controlled piston valve which is controlled by an upstream 3/2way pilot valve 25, see Fig. 3.
According to Fig. 3, two compensating tanks 23 are provided which are arranged inside of the tube-shaped carrier 15. The carriers themselves may also be designed as compensating tanks. Depending on the total quantity of air available as compensatory volume, further compensating tanks are possible. In the present case, the compensatory volume is 20 litres.
Compressed air can be supplied to the air system via a feed line 26 connected to the compensating tank 23, and a pressure reducer valve 27 in conjunction with a check valve 28 arranged in said feed line 26. The pressure is set to 3.6 by means of the valve 27.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the air springs 13 are partly filled with vaseline, in this case with a quantity of 1.4 litres per spring. The reduced air volume in each air spring results in a "harder" characteristic curve and a reduced depth of immersion. The quantity of vaseline depends on the type of spring and the weight of the machine 10 such that, even at the greatest depth of immersion of the springs, no vaseline enters into the lines 17 In the present embodiment, the total length of all lines 17 is approximately 7800 mm at an inner diameter of 9 mm. Lines 30 between the compensating tanks 23 and a T-piece connected to the valve 24 have an overall length of approximately 1600 mm at an inner diameter of 13 mm. The differing diameters in the overall system have a damping effect on the machine.
As explained above, the pressure in the compressed-air distributor 18 is detected by the pressure sensor 20. A signal corresponding to the pressure is supplied to a control device for the total system. The pressure sensor is provided with a RS 232 interface for the transmission of digital signals. Furthermore, a temperature signal is transmitted to the control device, specifically by a temperature sensor 18 arranged on the compressed-air distributor 18.
f 1 The system of air springs and lines connected via the compressed-air distributor 18 has a certain natural frequency which is clearly higher than the frequency of the machine during washinglcharging. In the transition from washing to spin-drying, that is to say during the acceleration of the rotational speed of the drum, the compensating tank 23 is connected by opening the valve 24, e.g. at 140 r.p.m. of the drum 12. As a result, the resonance frequency of the air-spring system is substantially reduced, whereas the load frequency of the machine is substantially increased by the growing rotational speed. The result is that the load frequency during the spin-drying is clearly higher than the resonance frequency of the air-spring system. The change-over time (the moment the compensating tank 23 is connected to the system) can also be defined by the proportion of the frequencies and preferably lies at a load frequency (frequency of the machine) of approximately 0.8 x the frequency of the air-spring system (the moment for switching over during the acceleration of the rotational speed of the drum). In this manner it is possible to mount the machine exclusively on air-springs. Additional (hydraulic) shock absorbers are not required. In the present case, the machine 10 has a mass of approximately 3750 kg. The mass of the charge comprising water and laundry (washing operation) is 600 - 700 kg.
It is possible to weigh the laundry in the machine especially because of the lack of shock absorbers. The measuring is not adversely affected by the great static friction of the shock absorbers. The described measuring technique, specifically the measurement of the pressure in the air system is highly sensitive. With respect to the charge of the machine, an accuracy of 1 % or better is attained. The machine is weighed during the charging so that the operator can be informed about the actual charge after adding each single laundry item. Before the begin of every charging, the system is adjusted, which means the weight of the empty drum is defined zero. Corresponding to the increase of the pressure after laundry items have been filled in, the actual weight of the charge is calculated in the control device (not shown). To compensate temperature influences, the signal of the temperature sensor 33 is considered in the calculation.
The invention is not restricted to the present exemplary embodiment and can especially also be used in conjunction with spin dryers and/or cleaning machines.
Claims (17)
1. Machine for washing, cleaning and/or spin-drying, especially a washer extractor or a cleaning machine, with a casing and a rotatable drum arranged therein for receiving the material to be treated (material to be washed or cleaned), characterized by a gas-spring system for absorbing the vibration occurring during operation, the gas-spring system also being configured for damping the vibration.
2. Machine as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that a pressure measuring device, especially a pressure sensor, is connected to the gasspring system for determining the pressure inside the gas-spring system.
3. Machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gas-spring system is provided with a plurality of gas springs especially arranged under the casing and preferably connected to one another by means of a conduit system (air pipe, compressed-air distributor).
4. Machine as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the conduit system has a star point to which the gas-springs are connected via corresponding lines, such that a compensation of the volume between all gas-springs is possible.
5. Machine as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, apart from the gas springs, the gas-spring system is provided with compensating tanks for increasing the gas volume.
Machine as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that compensating tanks are connected to the star point.
7. Machine as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the compensating tank or the compensating tanks can be activated, especially connected to the gas-spring system, by means of a corresponding valve (24).
8. Machine as claimed in one or more of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the gas springs are partly filled with a substance which decreases the volume, especially with vaseline.
r_
9. Machine as claimed in one or more of Claims 5 to 8.
characterized in that the compensating tanks are integrated into tube-shaped carriers for 'the gas springs
10. Machine as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the gas-spring system is connected to a compressed-air source or gas source or supply, especially via the compensating tanks.
11. Machine as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the gas springs are designed as air springs having a rubber sleeve, a cavity filled with air, and an air supply.
12. Machine for washing, cleaning and/or spin-drying, especially a washer extractor or a cleaning machine, with a casing and a rotatable drum arranged therein for receivina the material to be treated (material to be washed or cleaned), characterized by a weighing device for determining the mass of the machine or the material in the machine.
13. Machine as claimed in Claim 12, characterized by a gasspring system for the springing suspension and damping of vibrations occurring during the operation, and by a pressure measuring device for determining the change in pressure In the gas-spring system which corresponds to the mass of the material filled in.
14. Method of operation for a machine for washing, cleaning andlor spin-drying, especially a washer extractor or a cleaning machine, with a casing and a rotatable drum arranged therein for receiving the material to be treated p kmaterial to be washed or cleaned), characterized in that the machine is weighed during the charging, and that the mass of the material which is already in the machine, or the change in the mass is determined.
15. Process as claimed in Claim 14, characterized in that the weighing is effectuated by measuring the pressure inside a gasspring system assigned to the machine.
16. Process as claimed in Claim 15, characterized in that a compensatory volume is connected to the gas-spring system during the acceleration of the rotational speed, especially during the spin-drying, and in that the resonance frequency is decreased in this way.
17. Process as claimed in one or more of Claims 14 to 16, 1 characterized in that a pressure sensor provided for measuring the pressure is re-adjusted before each charging.
v i
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19944425060 DE4425060A1 (en) | 1994-07-15 | 1994-07-15 | Machine for washing, cleaning and / or spinning laundry and method for operating such a machine |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9514613D0 GB9514613D0 (en) | 1995-09-13 |
| GB2291437A true GB2291437A (en) | 1996-01-24 |
Family
ID=6523266
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9514613A Withdrawn GB2291437A (en) | 1994-07-15 | 1995-07-17 | Machine for washing, cleaning and/or spin-drying |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE4425060A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2722516A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2291437A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20130047459A1 (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2013-02-28 | General Electric Company | System and method for determining status of a drying cycle and for controlling a dryer |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2002103100A1 (en) * | 2001-06-15 | 2002-12-27 | Seco Reinigungs- Und Umwelttechnische Anlagen Gmbh | Centrifugal device, in particular for spinning textiles |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1139533A (en) * | 1965-10-28 | 1969-01-08 | Hooge Emile Const Pvba D | Suspension device for washing machines and centrifugal dryers |
| US5248132A (en) * | 1989-12-30 | 1993-09-28 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Air spring structure free from the shakes of a suspended rotator |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE7320178U (en) * | 1973-09-06 | Licentia Gmbh | Support device for a washing machine and spin dryer | |
| US2056106A (en) * | 1935-07-24 | 1936-09-29 | John W Kuhn | Pneumatic spring |
| DE1585699A1 (en) * | 1967-02-15 | 1972-03-23 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag | Elastic suspension of the tub for drum washing machines |
| DE2348052A1 (en) * | 1973-09-25 | 1975-04-03 | Continental Gummi Werke Ag | Washing-machine with spring-suspended detergent-container - with springs vibrating in direction of drum-axis |
| DE3616806A1 (en) * | 1986-05-17 | 1987-11-19 | Festo Kg | Pneumatic damping device |
| DE8900299U1 (en) * | 1989-01-12 | 1989-08-24 | Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt | Washing machine with a drivable laundry drum |
| DE4108711A1 (en) * | 1991-03-16 | 1992-09-17 | Continental Ag | AIR SPRING WITH AN ELASTOMER AIR BELLOW |
-
1994
- 1994-07-15 DE DE19944425060 patent/DE4425060A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1995
- 1995-07-13 FR FR9508554A patent/FR2722516A1/en active Pending
- 1995-07-17 GB GB9514613A patent/GB2291437A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1139533A (en) * | 1965-10-28 | 1969-01-08 | Hooge Emile Const Pvba D | Suspension device for washing machines and centrifugal dryers |
| US5248132A (en) * | 1989-12-30 | 1993-09-28 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Air spring structure free from the shakes of a suspended rotator |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20130047459A1 (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2013-02-28 | General Electric Company | System and method for determining status of a drying cycle and for controlling a dryer |
| US8561320B2 (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2013-10-22 | General Electric Company | System and method for determining status of a drying cycle and for controlling a dryer |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4425060A1 (en) | 1996-01-18 |
| GB9514613D0 (en) | 1995-09-13 |
| FR2722516A1 (en) | 1996-01-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |